Local artist Amy Oestreicher will be at an evening meet and greet on Saturday February 28th from 5pm to 8pm at Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee in Ridgefield, CT. Her work will be on display starting on January 26th.

Amy Oestreicher is a twenty-seven year old artist, actress, musician, orator and writer residing in Westport, CT. The fulfillment of her dream to act was shockingly interrupted when, at the age of eighteen, she suffered a blood clot that left her in a coma for months and unable to eat or drink for over three years. Almost thirty surgeries later, Amy is still courageously fighting medical setbacks, and uses her painting and mixed media creations to transcend ten years of emotional and physical trauma. Her art demonstrates her journey into daylight and into a life of normalcy, which she is still traveling. Amy’s work explores complicated themes of betrayal, leaping into the void, uncertainty, fate, flight, and rising up from ashes.

In addition to her commitment to art, Amy’s passion for life has driven her to start her own chocolate business, a food blog, star in musicals, train in karate, teach nursery school, and write a play as well as an autobiography. Refusing to allow her medical circumstances to pose limits on her passion for life, she accomplished her biggest dream to date, which was to tell her story in the medium she’s always loved best – the theatre. In 2012, she wrote and starred in “Gutless & Grateful: A Musical Feast” – a one-woman musical about her unique journey. After being nominated for a Broadway World Award for “Best Cabaret Debut”, she reprised her show the following year at Stage 72 (NYC), The Bijou Theatre (CT) and Barrington Stage Company (MA) as part of William Finn’s Cabaret Series. Most recently, Gutless & Grateful enjoyed a sold out run as part of the United Solo Festival in NYC, an international showcase of one-person performances.

Oestreicher’s art portrays her mission to keep her spirit alive, as well as her quest for knowledge, joy, and experience. She specializes in acrylics, mixed media and collage. Her first solo art exhibit, Journey Into Daylight (Westport Women’s Club) featured over 70 original works spreading her message of hope in the darkest of times, and the celebration of life. Since then, Oestreicher has mounted solo exihibits at Wendy Nylen’s Picture This Gallery (Westport, CT), and her show “Coming hoME, Finding heART honored the grand opening of the Prescott Tavern in Amherst, MA. Her work has also been featured in various boutiques such as Accupalooza in Fairfield CT, in juried art shows (Hall-Brooke at St. Vincents) and featured on NBC’s Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. Oestreicher is currently studying art education and expressive art therapies at Hampshire College. Amy’s mission is to tell her story while sharing an inspiring message of hope, determination, perseverance, and strength in the face of unforeseen adversity.

The opening reception will be held on Saturday February 28th from 5pm to 8pm at Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee in Ridgefield, CT. The public is invited to enjoy food and drink and live music. Oestreicher’s work will be on view through the end of April. More information can be found at www.amyoes.com and at http://www.tuskandcup.com/.